"Buru buru~"
The urgent ring of the Den Den Mushi echoed through the Navy Headquarters' communications room.
East Blue's 16th Branch Captain — Nezumi — confirmed dead.
The killer: his own subordinate, the 16th Branch Commander, Rayne Hawke.
The news exploded like thunder, spreading rapidly through Headquarters.
A branch Captain's death wasn't rare.
But to die by the hands of his own direct subordinate?
That was undoubtedly a severe violation of naval discipline.
The Intelligence Department immediately sprang into action, and the full details of the incident were swiftly compiled and delivered straight into the hands of the Navy's highest authority — the Fleet Admiral.
"Bang!"
The current Fleet Admiral — Sengoku — slammed his fist onto the solid oak desk, making the documents rattle violently.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku
"Damn brat!"
"Defying superiors! Disregarding the chain of command!"
"Immediately! Strip that Commander Hawke of his rank! Bring him back to Headquarters! Hand him over to the military tribunal for judgment!"
Sengoku's voice boomed like a war drum, reverberating throughout the office.
On the other side of the room, an elderly woman with silver hair and calm eyes sat quietly, holding a cup of steaming tea.
She was the Navy Headquarters' Chief Strategist, a Headquarters Vice Admiral, and a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user — wielder of the Wash-Wash Fruit — Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Vice Admiral Tsuru
She gently blew on the tea to cool it and spoke in a composed tone, though her words carried sharp insight that cut to the heart.
"Sengoku, calm yourself."
"According to the preliminary investigation report, that Nezumi was guilty of corruption, embezzlement, and collusion with pirates. The evidence is solid."
"Parasites like him within our ranks should have been purged long ago."
Tsuru's sharp gaze swept across the report on the table.
"This is the Great Pirate Era. Storms are rising on every horizon."
"If we insist on following rigid rules for every little thing, how will our men have the freedom to carry out Justice properly?"
"Sometimes, rules that are too inflexible only end up restraining those who truly want to act."
"..."
Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply. His anger eased slightly, but his expression remained grave.
He understood Tsuru's point — but Navy discipline was equally important.
Defying a superior, regardless of reason, was a challenge to naval order.
After a long silence, Sengoku finally came to a decision.
"This matter is far from simple."
"Convene an emergency high-level meeting immediately!"
"Kizaru is patrolling the New World and can't make it back."
"Notify Sakazuki and Kuzan. I want them in the conference room right away!"
The order was relayed at once.
Soon, the atmosphere inside the Navy Headquarters' highest-level meeting room became tense and solemn.
The heavy doors swung open.
The first to step inside was a man in a crimson suit, his face sharp and cold, his entire presence radiating an oppressive heat — Sakazuki.
Right behind him came a tall, broad-shouldered man with a lazy gait, wearing an eye mask — Kuzan.
Two of Navy Headquarters' strongest forces — Admiral "Akainu" Sakazuki and Admiral "Aokiji" Kuzan — took their seats on opposite sides of the long table.
Sengoku sat at the head of the table, with Tsuru seated beside him.
"The meeting begins!"
...
East Blue, Arlong Park.
"Hah—"
Smoker watched Hawke with clear interest.
"A Navy Branch Commander… killed his own commanding officer?"
He was already known for not giving a damn about rules, but he didn't expect someone in this backwater of East Blue to be even bolder than him.
Though he didn't know all the details, one glance around told the story: the fishmen corpses scattered across the ground, the human-shaped bloodstain on the wall, the shredded Captain's uniform on the floor.
And recalling the rumors he'd heard earlier about the 16th Branch…
Smoker more or less pieced the situation together.
A corrupt superior, colluding with pirates, eliminated cleanly by a competent and fearless subordinate?
Beautifully done—!!!
Of course, this kind of thing was absolutely against the rules set by those old men back at Headquarters.
But… he was Smoker.
The man who'd even dared to argue with the Fleet Admiral himself.
Navy rules? To him, they were worth less than shit.
Hawke, you bastard, you did good.
But… don't think I came here to pat you on the back!
Because of you, every damn pirate in East Blue's been wiped out.
And thanks to that, I've been stuck in Loguetown, staring at the sea for three months, blowing in the wind for three months, and polishing my damn jitte for three months straight!!!
Today, I'm gonna put you back in your place!
With that thought, Smoker's expression darkened. He clenched his cigar between his teeth, his gaze sharp as blades as he locked eyes with Hawke.
"..."
"Captain Smoker!"
"It's the 'White Hunter' of Loguetown — Captain Smoker!"
The Marines from the 16th Branch recognized him instantly, their faces flashing with shock and unease.
A Headquarters Captain!
An officer from Headquarters and one from a local branch were worlds apart!
In strength, authority, and status, Headquarters far outweighed any branch.
And this man in particular… was infamous for his iron-fisted methods and unpredictable behavior — the "White Hunter" himself!
This was bad!
Commander Hawke personally killed Captain Nezumi — and now Captain Smoker had caught him red-handed!
This could get ugly.
Defying a superior was a crime severe enough to land anyone in a military tribunal!
No! They couldn't let this happen!
Even if he was a Headquarters Captain, they couldn't allow him to just take Commander Hawke away like that.
Sure, Hawke killed Nezumi, but they had all known, tolerated it… and even helped make it happen!
If punishment came, they'd all share it!
"Shhhk—"
Dane, a Lieutenant Commander, narrowed his eyes, stepping forward without hesitation, placing himself firmly between Smoker and Hawke.
He squared his shoulders, right hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and stared straight into Smoker's gaze.
"Clang—!"
Almost as if on cue, the Marines of the 16th Branch all stepped forward in unison, their boots hitting the ground in perfect rhythm.
They lined up behind Dane, forming a solid wall of flesh and steel, shielding Hawke in the center.
Their movements were disciplined, coordinated, and carried a fierce resolve.
The air instantly grew tense, sharp, and oppressive.
"..."
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Tashigi barked sharply, her hand gripping her sword hilt tightly, her eyes behind her glasses full of unease.
The Marines accompanying Smoker from Loguetown all drew their weapons, raising them in unison, watching this hostile standoff unfold with deadly focus.
"Step—"
Hawke walked forward calmly, his gaze settling on Smoker's face.
Smoker — disciple of Navy Instructor Zephyr, close friend of Admiral "Aokiji" Kuzan.
Guardian of Loguetown. Gatekeeper of East Blue's passage into the Grand Line.
Aside from being a little weak, he was a good Marine.
But why the hell was he here, in the waters of the 16th Branch, instead of staying in Loguetown where he belonged?
And knowing his personality, purging a parasite like Nezumi… Smoker shouldn't have cared enough to intervene.
So then… why the hell was he looking so grim???
"..."
Smoker glanced at Hawke, then at the Marines standing behind him with fire in their eyes. His lips twitched, as though he wanted to say something.
And just then—
"Rustle, rustle…"
Chaotic footsteps and muffled gasps came from the outskirts of Arlong Park.
"Look! The Navy's here!"
"Arlong Park… Arlong Park's been destroyed!"
"That… is that Arlong?!"
The villagers of Cocoyasi had been drawn here by the deafening noise from the park, gathering cautiously on the edges.
When they saw Arlong Park leveled to the ground, the fishmen corpses scattered around, and especially Arlong's lifeless body slumped against the wall… they froze in shock.
Then, disbelief gave way to overwhelming joy and excitement.
"Arlong's dead!"
"We… we're free!"
The nightmare that had weighed on them for years was finally shattered!
Some villagers, braver than the rest, broke down crying with relief.
Before long, their eyes shifted to the confrontation between the two groups of Marines.
They saw Smoker, the symbol of Headquarters' authority.
They saw the Marines of the 16th Branch standing firm around Hawke.
"!!!"
"Protect Commander Hawke!"